The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-10-14

CHAPTER Xv.-CoNTINUEp
swell, by gracious! this beats all the
rides ever 1 took!' said Joe, as ten
minutes later, with Tad at his side, he
drove slowly toward Bixport, while the
detective followed close behind, with
his captive.
"Me, tco!" returned Tad, who was
holding the recovered sachel very
tightly.
won't folks eyes stick out, though
when they come to hear all about it
tomorrow" and Tad replied that he
rather guessed SC. and then, opening
his heart, he told his companion the
whole story. from beginning to end, a,
which recital, as the stories say, Joe's
establishment can better be imagined
than described.
Leaving Joe explaining to the Won
dering crowd that had assembled be-
fore Potters. their joint share in the
exciting incidents of the evening, Tad.
hugging the sachel under one arm,
while across the other was thrown the
circular cloak. hurried. with joyous
steps. back to Miss Smiths.
Bursting impetuously into the sit
ting-room, where sat the little COM
pany, TO which Mr.. Mason, who had
gloor,iiy returned from an unsuccess-
full search for deputy sheriff. had
joined himself, Tad tossed the long
lost sachel into the lap of Mr.. Ather-
ton. thereby causing him to drop the
paper he had been perusing upside
down. and. with it, his dignitied reserve
to Such AN extent that he exclaimed:
"Gracious goodness, for which he 81
once apologized, as his trembling
fingers applied the little key to the
kep-hole: while Tad. with his politest
bow, presented astonished Mrs. Mason
with her recovered jewelry and the
fur-lined circular.
''The dress was all mud. and striddleG
from top to bottom, or I'd brought
that, too" he added, as Mrs. Mason.
with an exclamation of delight. re-
oeiyed her recovered property; while
Der husband gazed at smiling Tad in a
3azed sort of way. and whistled softly
b himself. as one whose feelings were
too deep for adequate expression.
Tad. you're "a jewelr' said Miss
SmirA. energetically: and very much
to Tad's astoRishment. but to his secret
qualification. the maiden lady I'M
printed 4 sounding kiss upon his blush
ing cheek. while Captain Flagg shook
hands with him vigorously, with q
muttered reference to chainin' up 4
child in the way he'd ought to 60.
SOS when he's old he won't 90 to
strayin' of. Polly said nothing il
words. but rejoicing sparkled in her
eyes, and praise was apparent in her
beaming smiles. With the list in one
hand Mr.. Atherton was rapidly run
ming over the contents of the alligator.
skin sachcl.
Gold star pendant. solitaire drops,
diamond ring, bracelet and papers
Uln-yeS. every thing seems to be here y
he said. with a look of intense salts
faction, rs, dropping the list into the
mouth of the bag, which ne carefully
relocked. the dignifed gentleman re-
gar;ied the company with something
like affability.
Regarding the matter of-cr-re-
ward" continued Mr. Atherton. draw
ING bulky note-case from his pocket,
and glancing benignantly at Tad, who
stood in awkward silence. while all
present looked on expectantly, Il feel
pleased TO be able to bestow it upon so
-a-worthy a-er-youth as the one
to whom it rightly belongs" selecting
rs he spoke some crisp bank-notes from
their receptacle, and placing them on
the light stand; land, with gracious
inclination of his head TO Miss Smith.
81 may venture TO prophesy that. if he
heeds the teachings of the estimable
lady whose acquaintance 1 have been
fortunate enough to make in this uneN-
pected manner. he viii eventually rise
to-er-a position of-of-it may be
Presidential honor-who knowS?"
And satisfied that ne had said about
the correct thing. Mr.. Atherton
gathered up his belongings. and. re-
cognizing the remainder of the inter-
eSted party by a comprehensive bow.
took his departure for the hotel with
great inward exultation; and rs he left
early on the following morning. he
thus passes out of my story.